Pokémon Champions director rules out single-player modes

Masaaki Hoshino, the director of Pokémon Champions, has stated that the title will not receive single-player modes for the time being. The game, which is available on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and mobile platforms, is designed to serve as the primary competitive battler for the franchise.

Hoshino explained that adding single-player content, such as campaign modes or gym leader challenges, could distract players from the PvP (player versus player) focus. He noted that excessive single-player modes might move players away from competitive play and increase match times, which would complicate the PvP experience.

The game is intended to be the standard for official competitions, including the 2026 Pokémon World Championships. A major update featuring Z Mega Evolutions is expected to debut on September 9, 2026, introducing Pokémon such as Mega Lucario Z, Mega Garchomp Z, and Mega Absol Z.